Formation of antinuclear and double-strand DNA antibodies and frequency of lupus-like syndrome in anti-TNF-α antibody-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Publication

Formation of antinuclear and double-strand DNA antibodies and frequency of lupus-like syndrome in anti-TNF-α antibody-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 1, 2011

Beigel Florian, Schnitzler Fabian, Paul Laubender Rüdiger, Pfennig Simone, Weidinger Maria, Göke Burkhard, Seiderer Julia, Ochsenkühn Thomas, Brand Stephan

Citation

Beigel F, Schnitzler F, Paul Laubender R, Pfennig S, Weidinger M, Göke B, Seiderer J, Ochsenkühn T, Brand S. Formation of antinuclear and double-strand DNA antibodies and frequency of lupus-like syndrome in anti-TNF-α antibody-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011; 17:91-8.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011; 17

Publication Date

Jan 1, 2011

Issn Electronic

1536-4844

Pages

91-8

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with induction of autoantibodies including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), double-strand (ds) DNA antibodies, and the occurrence of lupus-like syndrome (LLS). However, the clinical relevance of autoantibody formation and predictive factors are unclear.

METHODS
180 IBD patients treated with anti-TNF antibodies (infliximab or adalimumab, or infliximab and adalimumab consecutively) were analyzed regarding ANA and dsDNA antibody values and the development of LLS, including factors predicting the development of LLS.

RESULTS
In all, 44.4% of anti-TNF-treated patients had ANA titers ≥1:240, while 15.6% had dsDNA serum levels ≥9 U/mL. However, only a minority of these patients experienced clinical symptoms of LLS; 8.9% presented with mild lupus-like symptoms with no need for intervention; 1.1% had severe symptoms consistent with LLS requiring immediate stop of anti-TNF therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified age as an independent risk factor for developing ANA ≥1:240 (P < 0.001) and LLS (P = 0.002), while concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was protective against autoantibody formation (ANA: P = 0.05) and LLS development (P = 0.04). There was a significant association between dsDNA antibody values ≥9 U/mL and LLS (P = 0.02) but not between ANA titers and LLS.

CONCLUSIONS
dsDNA antibody levels ≥9 U/mL, but not ANA titers ≥1:240, are associated with clinical symptoms of LLS. IBD patients of higher age treated with anti-TNF-α antibodies are at increased risk for development of ANA and LLS, while concomitant immunosuppressive therapy may have a protective effect.